A 170kg tiger has shed his “scaredy cat” image after finally overcoming his fear of heights.
When Tanvir the Bengal tiger was shown a specially designed climbing structure in his closure last year he promptly scaled the platform.
But once at the top of the 15ft structure, the Bengal tiger’s fearless reputation was shredded as he refused to come down – remaining at the top for a staggering 48 hours.
However, the giant cat, who eats 5kg of meat a day, has left is acrophobia behind him and confidently climbs and jumps from the tower at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in Bristol – to the delight of staff and visitors.
Big Cat keeper Emma Godsell said: “He’s much more confident in his strength and climbing ability and I can use scent and food enrichment exercises on his tower to keep him physically and mentally stimulated, which he really engages with.”